Vepřsko

Vepřsko is a modest, 363-metre hill near Nová Ves, in the Mladá Boleslav district, sitting right on the edge of Český ráj — the "Bohemian Paradise," one of the Czech Republic's best-known protected landscape areas. The summit itself rarely makes it into guidebooks, but it rises in the middle of a region famous for its sandstone rock towns, and that surrounding landscape, more than the hill itself, is the real reason to come.

Where exactly is Vepřsko?

The hill lies about a kilometre northeast of the village of Branžež, within the same cadastral area. Nová Ves, the village the location takes its name from, sits just next door, less than a kilometre away, and has been administratively linked to Branžež for centuries — the village's first written record dates back to 1555. Geomorphologically, Vepřsko belongs to the Jičín Uplands, specifically its Turnov Uplands sub-unit and the Vyskeř highlands district — a landscape of rolling hills, valleys, and rocky outcrops typical of the northern part of Bohemian Paradise.

What will you actually see there?

The hill hides a small geological curiosity: a discontinuous vein of neovolcanic limburgite runs through its southern part, forming a distinct ridge that stands out in the terrain. On the grassy southeastern slope, above the solitary Vepřsko homestead, a viewpoint opens onto the Srbská kotlina basin and the Komárovský pond — a calm, open scene that contrasts sharply with the jagged rock formations waiting just a few hundred metres away.

Vepřsko sits within the Příhrazské skály nature reserve, established in 1999 and covering one of the more extensive rock complexes in Bohemian Paradise: roughly 178 sandstone towers rising to altitudes between 239 and 463 metres. The most recognisable formation here is Kobylí hlava. Among the rocks, remnants of small 13th-century strongholds survive, and one rock crevice holds the Hynšta chapel, where persecuted members of the Unity of the Brethren took shelter in the 17th century. Hiking trails through the reserve also lead to the area's highest point, Mužský, to the rock castle of Drábské Světničky, and to the nearby Valečov castle.

How do you get there?

Vepřsko and Nová Ves lie in Central Bohemia, close to Mladá Boleslav and Turnov, both convenient as a base for exploring the area. The easiest approach is by car or train to Mladá Boleslav or Bakov nad Jizerou, followed by local transport or a walk toward Branžež and the Příhrazské skály reserve. The region is criss-crossed by a dense network of Czech tourist-club (KČT) marked trails, making it easy to combine a walk up Vepřsko with a visit to the surrounding attractions of Bohemian Paradise.

When is the best time to visit?

Late spring and summer are ideal, when the grassy slopes and viewpoints are fully accessible and the long days suit longer walks through the rock labyrinth. Autumn, with the beech forests typical of Bohemian Paradise turning colour, is a favourite season for photographers. In winter, some of the rocky paths can become slippery and harder to access, so extra caution is advisable.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a marked trail leading to Vepřsko? Yes — the area is part of the dense trail network running through the Příhrazské skály reserve. It's best to plan a route that links Vepřsko with nearby points such as Mužský or Drábské Světničky.

Is there an entrance fee for the hill or the reserve? No, the nature reserve is freely accessible, though the usual nature-protection rules for protected landscape areas apply.

What else is worth seeing nearby? Besides the hill itself and the view over the Srbská kotlina basin and Komárovský pond, it's worth visiting the Kobylí hlava rock formation, the Hynšta chapel, and Valečov castle.

Is Vepřsko suitable for a family outing? Yes, the gentle grassy slopes make for a relatively easy walk, though some paths deeper in the reserve pass through narrow rock crevices and call for extra care with children.